2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Finalists Announced; Cubs Unsurprisingly Land Five Nominees

Earlier today, Rawlings announced the 2026 Gold Glove finalists. The Chicago Cubs were well represented with five players: 

• CF: Pete Crow Armstrong (previously won in '25)
• 3B: Alex Bregman (previously won in '24)
• SS: Dansby Swanson (previously won '22-23)
• LF: Ian Happ (previously won '22-25 )
• RF: Seiya Suzuki (first nomination)

Should we be surprised? Not really. This past season, no team played better defense than the Cubs. Among the plethora of defensive stats, they led the league in FRV (76), OAA (74), and DRS (115). Notably, second baseman Nico Hoerner (9 OAA & FRV each) was excluded, but he had to fill in at shortstop for Dansby Swanson’s oblique injury. 

The most unexpected nominee was Seiya Suzuki. In his walk season, he upped his defensive game. Among NL right fielders, he ranked first in FRV (8) and DRS (14) and second in OAA (3). Keep in mind, Suzuki played in the same league as Diamondbacks speedster Corbin Carroll and is six years older than him. This is Suzuki's first Gold Glove nomination in the majors. As a member of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, he had previously won five NPB Gold Gloves Awards.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.